Abilify is sometimes used to treat people with MDD (albeit at smaller doses, such as 2mg or 5mg, according to my pdoc). It also happens to be an AP, which is why it's very useful for treating BP. So I would definitely say it's a mood stabilizer.

It's activating when you first take it, but I think you get used to it over time.

First night I took it, I couldn't sleep AT ALL and it gave me all sorts of eye problems. I felt wired and dizzy at the same time. Then after about 1 month on it, my body got used to it and I tried taking it at night. I felt fine and the eye issues went away after I started drinking more water and following the basic instructions.

I don't know about using it to *replace* Lamictal. I'm on both and I still got depressed. I had to up my Abilify dosage to get rid of the depression. *But* everyone is different. I'd say stay on Lamictal for maybe 3-6 months before titrating down if you're gonna do the Abilify.